Chapter 61 - Hard to Starboard

"We're currently heading to the nearest island to acquire reinforcements. The pirates should be upon us by the time we are in sight of land. I need all passengers to be prepared to fight for their lives. The pirates will definitely focus the fire of their mana cannons on any lifeboat," the new captain told the passengers.

"Are you crazy? The closest islands are part of the Mad Demon Chain, a chain of islands under constant assault by demons and demonic magical beasts. Magical beasts aren't the only dangers anymore," a learned merchant cried.

"Certain death trails behind us. If they used sea wolves, they must have mana cannons of the caliber to use Elemental Adept magical beast cores. They'll destroy the ship and pick us off as we swim. That is the result of not heading for the islands," the captain said in a strong voice. "Pirate attacks are common. We can only curse our luck that a pirate fleet chased us after we survived."

"Demons? They exist in this age?" Lance asked, his only memories of demons coming from the hereditary memories of ancestors from time immemorial.

"The only continent they don't exist on is the Pangu Continent. A hundred years after your failed ascension, the demons hiding in Pangu surfaced. They found the Right Heart of Darkness, and one demon rose to become the first Earth Mortal of Pangu since a few decades before your attempted ascension," Lingqi explained. "Of course, that is according to legend."

"That doesn't make sense. Why didn't they come out before?" Lance frowned.

"You devoured every living creature at the Earth Mortal and Sky Mortal stages in Pangu. It was how magical beasts cultivated quickly, and you were the supreme expert. Not only in Pangu; the world lived in fear that you would leave Pangu and rule the world. That was why you were called the World Serpent," Lingqi answered. "Furthermore, your existence forced the continent to be unable to trade with other nations and continents. The progression of civilization and cultivation stagnated because of you."

"I did all that? Wow. I never knew," Lance laughed as he and the others watched the passengers and sailors scramble to prepare themselves. "You know a lot about me. Why?"

"Ever since your rise to power, before you vanished, snakes ran rampant around the world. Your previous life was known as the Serpent Age. People made temples. You were both a god and a devil. In the Sky Mortal Stage, magical beasts gained human form, and the few Sky Mortal snakes spread your name as they unleashed their rage and anger at the world," Lingqi answered.

"We could become human?" Lance gasped.

"No. It is merely a shape-shifting ability. Body and soul, you are still a magical beast. After you vanished, snakes were hunted to near extinction, and the world gradually forgot you. The snakes became as low as they had been prior to your rise. When people learned of the Day of the Eye and the Snake, they began to remember the legends of the World Serpent and the Fragments of Darkness. Who knew a Vessel of Darkness and the reincarnated World Serpent would be my salvation and not my damnation? It's kind of funny and unbelievable," Lingqi said.

"How many Vessels of Darkness are there?" Mei asked. "Is that demon still alive?"

"That demon is the new undisputed supreme expert, having obtained both the Left and Right Heart of Darkness. A third of the world is lost to demons and demonic magical beasts. It is at the middle Sky Mortal Stage, and the existence of five humans at the initial Sky Mortal Stage are the only reason it hasn't ruled the world," Lingqi said. "Besides you, there is only the demon known as Mohaga the Moon Slayer. It is said that Mohaga absorbs the power of the moon and is invincible during the night."

"That little gnat was a demon? It was a magical beast before. So that weird taste of flesh meant it was a demonic magical beast?" Lance muttered, but no one heard him as a sailor cried and pointed in two directions.

"Land ho! ... Oh god. They're so fast! The pirates will be in firing range in ten breaths!" the sailor cried in despair.

"Everybody get down! Aim all mana cannons at the stern of the ship toward the bows of the two pirate ships!" the captain shouted.

"We need to move to the bow. It is the furthest from the stern, the back of the ship," Lingqi said.

"Why? It's just mana cannons. What's the harm?" Lance asked as three loud explosions occurred behind him.

"A collective force of mana cannons can combine together to even eradicate people of your cultivation," Lingqi stressed.

"A super cannon. You're talking about a super cannon. Seriously? Maybe the spirit energy within the cores could somehow harmonize, but that doesn't mean—" Lance began as another blast hit the stern. "I suppose I should make up a backup plan."

"Backup plan? Aren't you going to defend the ship?" Mei asked, gesturing to the sailors and passengers. "What about all these people? They need us."

"We need to survive. What? Do you expect to become a supreme expert and solve everyone's disputes? There are too many fights all over the globe. Do you expect to solve them all? Do you expect to save everyone? Face the truth, Mei. No matter how much you want me to change, the world won't. This is the world of immortals. Your little fantasy has made you conceited and blind," Lance said.

"We'll talk about this later. Right now, we have other priorities," Mei said and sighed before looking at the three others. "Look, I get it. I just thought that by changing Yang into Lance, I might be able to change myself and redeem myself for the past. There has to be something you can do."

"The ship is doomed. Our only chance is to fire back with our own mana cannons. I don't know what will happen when the opposing energies clash in different directions. There will be an explosion for sure. What kind? Well, you make the call. I don't care about these people," Lance shrugged, and Lingqi and the panther looked at Mei.